J
ulie Blood doesn’t usually hope for high winds and storms, but the harbour master at French Creek admits that they might prove to be useful.
Blood said the ongoing renovations to the harbour alignment have hit a pause.
“They are in the monitoring phase,” Blood said. “They did some work and now they are watching the activity in the harbour as far as waves go.”
Blood said how long the monitoring process continues depends entirely upon how long it takes to get the data — and that will depend on the weather, more than anything else.
“It has been hard to tell (if there is any improvement from the work done) because we haven’t had any big storms. That’s how we know if it’s working,” she said.
• Boating season is well underway in the Central Island and Jim Dutton wants to help make sure everyone not only has a good time on the water, but also returns to the dock safely.
To this end, the commander of the Nanoose Power and Sail Squadron is urging boaters to take part in this weekend’s Safety Sunday event.
The annual boating safety seminar is slated for Sunday, May 26 at the Schooner Cove Marina, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in conjunction with National Safe Boating Awareness Week.
Participants will be able to test their flare guns, watch a crew overboard recovery demonstration, see a parachute flare demonstration, a St. John’s Ambulance CPR demonstration, a VHF Radio DSC demonstration and more. Volunteers will also offer a recreational vessel courtesy check, to make sure all boaters have the proper gear that is mandated by law.
• The Deep Bay Yacht Club will celebrate the start of the 2013 boating season this Sunday with a bang.
Yacht Club spokesperson Charlie Cropper this week said the club will hold a ceremonial sailpast, along with dockside festivities at their floating clubhouse at the Deep Bay Marina.
The fun kicks off at 2:30 p.m. and non-members are invited to come down to meet the members and learn more about club activities.
• Lieutenant (Navy) Carson Stoney was presented his Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award by His Royal Highness, Prince Andrew, Duke of York at Government House in Victoria on the weekend.
While running the Sea Cadet marching band in Parksville, Carson is currently completing his Bachelor of Music at Vancouver Island University in Nanaimo. He currently teaches the Sea Cadets in Parksville and acts as a group leader for the Duke of Edinburgh award for the rural area.
“I can’t believe what an adventure I’ve had achieving this award!” he said. “This award, like the cadet program, taught me to set goals and overcome challenges. I’ve sailed the Atlantic and Pacific, I’ve hiked the Juan de Fuca and travelled the Top of the World Highway, and now that I’ve completed my award, I’m proud to say my cadets will now be receiving their awards in the upcoming years.”
• The crew of an RCAF Cormorant helicopter raced to the rescue after four boaters ran aground on rocks near Port Renfrew after losing an engine.
The aluminum boat ran aground near the mouth of Port San Juan Inlet, about 300 metres offshore. The boat’s distress call came shortly thereafter on May 7.
“The passengers and captain were all safe on the rocks, but had no way to get off safely, said Master Warrant Officer Gavin Lee. “We landed the Cormorant on the rocks and loaded the people on board.”
The boat was also recovered.
